I jumped to my feet and stared at the maids. One of the maids, who was dusting, glanced at me.
“Oh? Look at it. It’s like it understands what we’re saying.”
Yes, I understand!
As I cried out loudly, one of the maids frowned and approached.
“You better behave. Otherwise, you’ll end up like the last one—dead.”
…Dead like the last one? What on earth are they talking about?
As I stared in confusion, the maid next to her spoke. “That canary—he killed it in just a few days because it was being bad, right?”
“It was about a week, I think.”
“That one lasted a week, huh. I wonder how long this one will go on.”
They laughed and chatted as they left the room.
Now that I looked around, I saw an empty birdcage in the room. I looked at the empty birdcage and felt a chill run down my spine. Only a few yellow feathers were left inside.
Killed for being a bad kid in just a week?
I’ve also heard a few times that I might be a bad kid. That meant if I upset Isaac even a little, I’d end up like the canary.
The fondness I felt for Isaac just moments ago evaporated instantly.
I have to escape. How should I do it?
As I was planning in my head, the door opened, and Isaac came in.
“Mia. I’m back.”
I felt my fur stand on end in fear, but I forced myself to purr as soon as I saw Isaac. I had to keep him happy if I wanted to survive. Fortunately, it seemed to work, as a faint smile appeared on Isaac’s lips.
Isaac petted me and said, “Do you like me?”
…It’s not that I dislike you. I’m just scared.
I rubbed my cheek against Isaac’s hand to show affection. His small hand was warm.
“I like you because you’re a good girl, Mia…”
He’s calling me a good girl now, but if I become a bad kid, I’ll end up dead too. Isaac told me I was his good luck charm, but I couldn’t let my guard now.
“Mia, I have something to show you. Let’s go.” Isaac picked me up and headed outside.
W-Where is he taking me…?!
As I trembled in fear, I realized he was heading outside.
“I’ll show you something pretty. Wait here for a moment.” Isaac set me down and left.
Is this my chance…?
My legs weren’t fully healed yet, but I thought I could escape now. Even if I can’t climb the wall, there might be a hole somewhere.
I hurriedly approached the wall and started looking around. But the wall was thoroughly sealed. Ugh, there’s not even a single hole…!
“Mia.”
Someone grabbed the nape of my neck and lifted me up, whispering in my ear. When I turned around, it was Isaac. His eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
Isaac looked at me with a sharp gaze. “Were you trying to run away?”
This is crazy. I could feel Isaac’s grip on my neck getting stronger. At this rate, I might really die…!
I looked at him with an innocent face and whimpered softly. “Meow?” Then, I lightly licked his nose.
Isaac seemed a bit flustered as he looked at me, then carefully held me in his arms. “…So you weren’t trying to run away.”
Phew… Thank goodness. I almost got killed by this psychopath in the making…
As I lay limp in his arms, Isaac started walking somewhere. Come to think of it, he said he would show me something pretty earlier. What on earth is he going to show me? I looked up, and my heart sank in silent horror.
“Look. Isn’t it pretty?”
There were butterflies. To be precise, there were taxidermized butterflies. Beautiful butterflies were nailed to a tree trunk, and they all twitched as if they were still alive. Not just one or two, but nearly ten of them were nailed alive.
Isaac looked at me and smiled gently. “Do you like it?”
How could I possibly like this…?!
As I held back my tears, Isaac spoke as if puzzled. “Don’t you like it? Look closer.” He brought me closer to the tree.
No! I don’t want to see it up close…! But if I struggled or tried to get out of his arms, I felt like he would kill me, so I stayed quietly in his embrace.
Just then, I heard someone’s voice from behind.
“Isaac.”
When I turned around, there was Marquis Dias. I could feel Isaac’s arms tighten around me.
The marquis glanced at the butterflies nailed to the tree. He had the same silver-gray eyes as Isaac, devoid of any emotion.
“Did you do this to the tree?”
“…Yes, Father.”
It seemed like he was about to say something about this scene.
Yes, of course, he should! Teach your son some proper manners, Father!
As I waited for the marquis to say something, he approached and gently touched the butterfly. It was a beautiful butterfly with blue wings. The butterfly flinched as if in pain.
Just as I wondered if he was going to remove the nail, the marquis grabbed the tip of the wing and pulled it off. With a sickening sound, the wing was torn off. He then tore off the remaining half of the wing and dusted off his hands.
Marquis Dias spoke in a calm tone. “This will leave a mark on the tree. If you’re going to do it, do it on the ground, Isaac.”
Really, that’s the point of your advice…? I stared at the marquis in shock.
He lightly placed his hand on his son’s head and said, “Be a good boy, Isaac.”
“Yes, Father.”
As Isaac bowed his head quietly, I suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
A good boy. Isaac had said something similar. That bad children must die.
Who could tell him that? It couldn’t have been a servant, so it must have been a teacher or a parent… Could this man have said that to his own son?
“Then make sure you’re well prepared for the special lesson.”
“Yes, Father.”
After the marquis left, Isaac stared at his back for a long time.
The scenery beyond the blooming red lilies was dizzying. Amidst it, I could hear Isaac’s heartbeat as he held me in his arms. It was a bit rough as if he had been running.
* * *
Rain was falling steadily. The already eerie Dias mansion felt even more sinister in the rain.
It has been a month since I started staying here. My leg had mostly healed, but there was no chance to escape. And that was because…
“Mia, what’s wrong?”
Isaac gently stroked my head. I was lying on his lap, being petted. This already happened for three hours straight…
Isaac liked me. No, saying he liked me was an understatement. Obsession was a more fitting term.
At first, I spent only an hour or two with Isaac, but now he spends most of his time with me. He even took me with him during meals. He also did so when he slept.
At some point, Isaac started holding me while he slept. This made escaping even more difficult. Whenever I tried to sneak away, I would feel his eyes suddenly open and watch me. Even now, those eyes were staring at me.
He gently scratched my chin and said, “Mia, do you feel good?”
“…Meow.”
Fearing that a knife might come flying if I didn’t pretend to feel good, I deliberately rubbed my head against Isaac’s hand. He then smiled faintly.
“Mia, I’m so glad you’re here. You’re my only friend…”
Come to think of it, during my time here, I had never seen anyone of Isaac’s age. No one visited, and Isaac never went out. It didn’t seem like there were any servants he was close to either. Well, it would be hard to get close to a young master who suddenly thrusts a fork in your face…
Is that why he likes me so much? I guess he must be lonely. But the problem is, he likes me too much…
Isaac hugged me tightly. He pressed his cheek against my head and murmured quietly. “So you have to stay here with me forever… Got it?”
I loveeeee this!!